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Department ofTransportation

King County Metro partners with carpooling apps to offer discounts, incentives and mobility options for commuters

December 3, 2018

Summary

King County Metro is partnering with apps Waze Carpool and Scoop to help commuters find carpooling partners, providing more mobility options to area workers. Participants will have the opportunity for a limited time to earn discounts and incentives through participating apps beginning Dec. 3.

Story

As the region prepares to face regional congestion from major public and private construction projects, King County Metro is working with partners to make it more convenient for commuters to travel together.

Metro is launching a new pilot program Dec. 3in partnership with carpooling apps Waze Carpool and Scoop. Carpooling is a flexible and longstanding commute option that’s made even easier thanks to better technology through available apps. Commuters can choose to be a passenger and join a carpool trip at a discounted rate, or be a driver and offer a ride to earn incentives. The carpooling apps are free to download.

Building on commuter services that Metro currently offers, this program provides county residents and employees with additional mobility options to help reduce congestion, lessen energy consumption and improve equitable access to mobility. The program is available for all trips starting or ending in King County. Service areas and pricing vary across apps.

For commuters heading to or from Seattle, this program creates another travel option to mitigate commute impacts due to the upcoming permanent State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. With expected traffic delays during peak hours, commuters who are unable to telecommute or use vanpools or transit can help reduce their stress by leaving their car at home and sharing rides with others. To learn more about the upcoming closures and how to best prepare, visit the King County Metro Get Ready website.

By piloting carpool incentives, King County Metro will learn more about how to better serve commuters in the county.The project initially will last through the Viaduct closure period and depending on the results of the early phases, Metro might make adjustments to the program and consider whether to make it a longer term initiative and how it could evolve over time.

Metro provides bus service that is the backbone of the transit network across King County and also is a full-service mobility provider – with services such as vanpools, new on-demand shuttle service to transit called Ride2, and innovative transportation solutions that fill gaps where riders need help making connections. Metro programs work to find solutions for people to support better mobility across the region.

Easy steps to share a ride and receive carpool incentives

Service areas, pricing, and features vary across apps. Incentives are available for a limited time.

Download a free carpool app (Waze Carpool or Scoop).

Enter your trip locations and times.

Get matched with neighbors or co-workers going your way.

Book a ride and enjoy the benefits.

Relevant links

Quotes

“This exciting new program is one of the many ways that Metro is working in partnership to introduce new mobility solutions to help customers get where they need to go. Sharing a ride will help our customers move more easily through our region. By teaming up with established carpool apps, we’re hoping riders can easily make the connections they need so they can leave their cars at home.” - Chris O’Claire, Assistant General Manager, King County Metro

“In today’s increasingly busy world, our commutes are taking a toll on us – mentally, physically, and emotionally. We're excited about how this amplifies our existing partnerships with major employers in the region, and we’re proud to partner with King County to help provide an impactful carpooling solution to improve what is one of the most challenging parts of our day: our commutes. Together with King County and employers, we hope to help residents and employees across King County make their commutes more enjoyable and efficient, ultimately helping them be happier and less stressed in their day-to-day lives, both during the period of the Viaduct closure and beyond.” - Robert Sadow, Co-Founder and CEO of Scoop

“Traffic is a universal problem, and the root of the issue is simply too many cars on the road. We launched Waze Carpool to connect drivers and riders for an easier, more affordable commute while reducing the strain on our roads and environment. Our goal is to end traffic altogether but we know we can't do it alone. We are excited to partner with forward-thinking King County and work closely together to offer better mobility solutions for everyone.” - Josh Fried, Head of Waze Carpool